# MEDICAL REVIEW - Dr. Eleanor Vance
Patient: 82-year-old female
Admitting team: Geriatric Medicine
"Referred as:" Admitted from aged care facility with a 3-day history of confusion and decreased oral intake.
## BACKGROUND:
(bg::Hypertension) diagnosed in 2010, managed with medication.
(bg::Osteoarthritis) diagnosed in 2015, managed with analgesia.
(bg::Mild cognitive impairment) diagnosed in 2020, under review.
SUBSTANCES:
Smoking history – Non-smoker.
Other non-prescribed substances including last time used: Nil.
"CFS" 5
Social/Services:
Home situation and who patient lives with: Lives in a residential aged care facility.
Current and relevant previous employment: Retired.
Mobility status and whether they drive: Ambulates with a walker, does not drive.
Current level of in-home supports including paid and unpaid services: Receives assistance with all activities of daily living from aged care staff.
### MEDICATIONS:
Lisinopril 10mg daily,
Paracetamol 1g four times daily,
Donepezil 5mg daily,
How medications are taken (e.g. Webster, dosette, pill box): Webster pack.
Comment on adherence to medications: Adherent.
## HOPC:
History of presenting complaint, including quoted descriptions of symptoms such as pain, vertigo, hallucinations: The patient's daughter reports a 3-day history of increasing confusion, including episodes of disorientation and difficulty with short-term memory. The patient has also experienced a decreased appetite and reduced oral intake. No complaints of pain or other specific symptoms were elicited.
Symptoms elicited on systems review, including both positives and negatives: No fever, cough, or shortness of breath. No chest pain or palpitations. No abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting. No urinary symptoms. No falls.
Collateral history: Daughter present and providing collateral history.
Statement of explanations given to patient: Explained the need for admission and investigations to the patient and her daughter.
Description of any advance care planning discussions including resuscitative plans: Patient has a current advanced care directive in place, which was reviewed with the daughter. The patient wishes to be treated with comfort measures only.
## EXAMINATION:
Observations at time of review, including values and trends: Temperature 37.2°C, heart rate 88 bpm, blood pressure 140/80 mmHg, SpO2 96% on room air. Alert but confused. Oriented to person but not place or time.
Clinical findings grouped by systems:
Neurological: Confused, disoriented. No focal neurological deficits.
Cardiovascular: Regular rhythm, no murmurs.
Respiratory: Clear to auscultation.
Abdomen: Soft, non-tender.
### INVESTIGATIONS:
Blood test results in the last 24 hours, each category on one line (e.g. electrolytes, renal function, liver function):
Electrolytes: Na+ 138 mmol/L, K+ 4.0 mmol/L, Cl- 102 mmol/L.
Renal function: Creatinine 80 umol/L, eGFR 65 mL/min/1.73m2.
Liver function: ALT 25 U/L, AST 28 U/L, ALP 80 U/L.
Results of orifice tests such as urine, sputum, etc. Include microbiology with resistances if applicable, one result per line: Urine dipstick negative for infection.
Imaging results: Chest X-ray clear.
ECG description: Sinus rhythm, no acute changes.
Special investigations relevant to presentation, e.g. stress test, lung function test: Nil.
## IMPRESSION:
(impression::82-year-old female with a history of hypertension, osteoarthritis, and mild cognitive impairment, presenting with acute confusion and decreased oral intake.)
(impression::Likely multifactorial cause for confusion, including possible urinary tract infection, dehydration, and medication side effects.)
(impression::Prognosis is guarded, depending on the underlying cause of the confusion and the patient's response to treatment.)
(impression::Differential diagnoses include urinary tract infection, pneumonia, dehydration, medication side effects, and delirium due to underlying medical conditions.)
(impression::Additional problems identified requiring management: Dehydration, risk of aspiration.)
### PLAN:
- Admission to a team or intention to discharge: Admission to Geriatric Medicine ward.
- Immediate management plan to stabilise patient: IV fluids, oxygen as required.
- Management items initiated for treatment of the primary diagnosis: IV fluids, review and adjustment of medications, urine culture and sensitivity.
- Statement on chemical/mechanical VTE prophylaxis, or note if contraindicated. If not mentioned, default to “VTE prophylaxis as charted”: VTE prophylaxis as charted.
- Management items related to additional issues: Monitor fluid balance, monitor for aspiration risk.
- Supportive management such as fluid restriction, BP targets, O2 saturation targets: Maintain BP <140/90 mmHg, maintain SpO2 >94%.
- Whether patient can eat and drink: Confirm whether patient can eat and drink.
- Further investigations arranged from this review: Repeat blood tests, urine culture, consider further imaging if clinically indicated.
- When next planned review will occur, and signs or symptoms to prompt urgent review: Review daily, or sooner if there is a change in clinical status.
- Advanced care planning follow-up, such as completing resuscitation plan: Continue to follow advanced care directive.
- Referrals to speciality teams: Geriatric Medicine team.
- Referrals to allied health teams: Nil.
Dr. Eleanor Vance, 1 November 2024, 14:30